The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-30
UNITED STATES ARMY.
Lieutenant-General Sheridan's
Annual Report.
Recommending an Increase 0:
5000 Men In the Service.

Lieutenant General P. H. Sheridan has pre-
sented his annual report to the Secretary Of
War. From the report it appears that at the
date of the last consolidated returns the army
consisted of 1900 officers, and 1926 men
including Indian scouts Troops have been
continually occupied in patrolling the
Oklahoma country, and have been sue,
cessful in keeping intruders out ol
that region. The gradual spread OF rail
roads throughout the territory can, now
ever, ultimately have but one effect, and
General Sheridan is now of opinion that
Congress may we'll consider the advisability
of opening up portions at least, of this coun-
try to settlement.
In order to quiet the restless young men
among the Crow Indians, the report says,
General Ruger has been authorized to enlist
about thirty of their number as scouts and
take them to Fort Custer. The Crows have
always been friendly, and make ita boast that
they have never killed white man, and it
would be pity if anything should now, oc-
cur to disturb the peaceful relations so long
standing. General Sheridan is confident
that General Ruger will be able to effect
permanent settlement that will be satisfac-
tory to the Crows as we'll as to the Govern
ment.
In regard to the concentration of the army
in the larger posts, the report says that the
work on the new post at Denver, where
it is proposed to place ten companies,
will shortly be commenced: that at San
Antonio has been progressing favorably
during the year; the ground for the new
post near Chicago will pass into the posses
sion of the Government at an early day, and
at Fort Smelling both the reservation and
other attendant conditions are favorable
for the establishment of q large garri-
son, and only some additional buildings
are required for their accommodation. The
reconstruction of Fort Riley has been
actively prosecuted during the year, but
before it can bs completed, additional
appropriations will be necessary.
General Sheridan expresses regret that the
very rapid decrease in the number Of deser-
tions from the army during the previous
two years has not been continued; the
increase is, however, very slight, being only
about one half of one per cent more than last
year. The desertions, as a general rule, he
says, are mostly confined to soldiers in the
earlier years of their first enlistment, and to
men who enlist only for temporary occupa.
ton, for transportation to a different section
pleasure of deserting. These latter form
no inconsiderable part of the whole number,
and it is not possible to recognize them unless
they happen to be personally known to the
recruiting officer, it is probable that they
will continue annually to swell the number
Of deserters.
General Sheridan renews his previous re-
commentators touching the increase of the
army by 5000 men and perfect ng the oran-
ization Of the infantry arm by the addition OF
two majors and two companies to each regi-
ment.
General Sheridan says that ''the measures
which would most promote the efficiency
of the service would be the passage of law
authorizing the immediate retirement of
those officers. about eighty in number, in
whose cases such action has already been
have for tsome time been absent on account
of sickness from ther commands with
but little prospect Of ultimate recovery"
Attention is called to the needs of the
army in the matter of improved small arms,
and General Sheridan says: 1.-THE Spring
field rifle still remains the weapon Of our
service, and it is undoubtedly very good
one. In my opinion, however, the magazine
gun must be the arm OF the future and
a glance at foreign armies shows that fus
ture to be very near at hand. Every lead
ing country abroad has either adopted q
magazine gun or been actively engaged in
experiments looking to the development of
an effective system. With us, progress in
this direction appears to be very slow, and,
as far as l know, no very decided steps have
been taken during the year, nor any definite
conclusions yet reached"
The report says that the condition of our
coast defences has continued to deteriorate
during the year, and that they would be of
little real service in time of war.
General Sheridan concludes his report with
the following remarks concerning State
militia: ~ am strongly in favor of the gen.
eral Government extending all possible aid
to the National Guard of the different States,
as they constitute body of troops that in
any great emergency would form an import
ant part Of our military force. They should
be armed with the best weapons, amply
provided with complete camp and gar
rison equipage and instructed in the various
drills and exercises according to the tactics
and systems followed in the regular army.
According to my observation and experience,
most Of the State troops now march well and
handle the gun well, but they are deficient in
discipline and in all the duties that teach
soldier to take care of himself while in camp
or upon march. This defect can best
be overcome by establishing some system
OF encampment under the control and direc-
tion and at the entire expense of the general
Government In the development Of such a
measure the entire army, as we'll as myself
personally, will be glad to render such assist
ance as lies in our power, and I recommend
that the fayora ble considara fiop ,f fl,a e,,b